Heyman, Grant to the rescue as Matildas beat Panama
Justin Chadwick |
Charli Grant has saved the Matildas from further embarrassment, the defender bundling in a stoppage-time goal to lift Australia to a 3-2 victory over Panama at HBF Park in Perth.
World No.56 Panama stunned the Matildas 1-0 in Bunbury on Saturday and threatened another boilover on Tuesday night when an Ericka Arauz wonder strike gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute.
Veteran striker Michelle Heyman struck in the 54th and 65th minutes to give the Matildas a 2-1 lead, but the 10,659 crowd were left stunned when Panama’s Lineth Cedeno scored in the 83rd minute to level the scores.
Enter Grant.
The 23-year-old Tottenham fullback had huffed and puffed all night long and received her due reward in the 91st minute when she wrestled to get in front of her opponent at the far post so she could knock in Courtney Nevin’s cross.
“The first half we created some chances, but going into the change rooms we really needed a good talking to, because we’re better than that,” Heyman said after the match.
“I really wanted to try and come out onto the field with some leadership and show people that it comes from within, and just having that self belief.
“I knew within our team that we could come away with some goals and get the win, because we weren’t going to come off that field without that win.
“For myself personally, it’s always fun scoring goals. It gives me more confidence in my ability.”
Although the win was a good way to end the Matildas’ four-match stint in WA under new coach Joe Montemurro, there’s still plenty of work to do ahead of next year’s Asian Cup.
Australia enjoyed 69 per cent possession in the first half but the focus of keeping the ball as much as possible rather than going long when under pressure brought about their undoing at times.
The most costly moment came in the 34th minute when Jessika Nash passed sideways while under pressure with Panama players lurking.
Arauz ensured the ball didn’t make it to Emily Van Egmond, bouncing off her opponent and unleashing a 24-yard strike that curled into the net and sent the Panama players into a frenzy.
The world No.15 Matildas had just two shots on target in the first half.
Their best chance arrived in the 24th minute when Hayley Raso’s shot hit the inside of the crossbar and rolled tantalisingly across the face of goal.
Australia levelled in the 54th minute when an inch-perfect cross from Raso found a running Heyman, who had an easy tap-in from point-blank range.
It was another Raso cross that set up Heyman for her second, with the 37-year-old heading home to send the crowd into raptures.
But the Matildas’ frail defence was left wanting in the 83rd minute when a turnover allowed Cedeno to cruise into the box and fire past goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln.
Grant ensured the Matildas had the last laugh, but the win was far from convincing.
AAP
